riskbycounty
FEMA National Risk Index

Jo Daviess County Disaster Risk

Jo Daviess County, Illinois

FEMA Risk Rating

Relatively Low

National Percentile

51th

of 3,144 counties

State Rank

#57

of 102 (1 = highest risk)

Flood Risk

59th

percentile

Hazard Risk Breakdown

Flood

River, coastal, and surface flooding risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 59% of US counties

Wildfire

Wildland and wildland-urban interface fire risk

Very Low

Higher than 21% of US counties

Tornado

Tornado and severe thunderstorm risk

Relatively Low

Higher than 69% of US counties

Earthquake

Seismic activity and ground shaking risk

Very Low

Higher than 28% of US counties

Hurricane

Tropical cyclone and hurricane risk

Very Low

Higher than 16% of US counties

Risk Advisory: Jo Daviess County

Risk Verdict

Jo Daviess County shows a relatively low overall disaster risk profile, scoring in the 51th percentile nationally. The county faces moderate hazard exposure relative to other U.S. counties. Standard emergency preparedness is recommended, with attention to the specific hazards that dominate locally.

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado risk is the dominant hazard for Jo Daviess County, scoring in the 69th percentile nationally. It is followed by flood risk at the 59th percentile. Additional hazards include earthquake (28th), wildfire (21th), hurricane (16th).

Preparedness Context

With tornado risk as the top concern, Jo Daviess County residents should identify a safe room or interior space on the lowest floor, have a NOAA weather radio, and practice tornado drills with your household. Secondary risks such as flood also warrant attention in household and community preparedness planning. FEMA recommends all households maintain at least 72 hours of food, water, and medication supplies regardless of specific hazard exposure.

Regional Context

Jo Daviess County has a disaster risk profile close to the average county in Illinois. Its composite risk score is within 3.2 points of the state average, meaning its overall hazard exposure is broadly representative of Illinois as a whole.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the natural disaster risk in Jo Daviess County, IL?
Jo Daviess County has a FEMA National Risk Index rating of Relatively Low, placing it in the 51th percentile nationally out of 3,144 counties. This composite score reflects the county's overall exposure to natural hazards including floods, wildfires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and hurricanes, weighted by expected annual loss and social vulnerability.
What types of natural hazards affect Jo Daviess County?
Jo Daviess County is evaluated for five major natural hazard types: tornado (69th percentile), flooding (59th percentile), earthquake (28th percentile), wildfire (21th percentile), hurricane (16th percentile). The highest-risk hazard is tornado at the 69th percentile nationally. These scores are derived from FEMA's National Risk Index, which analyzes expected annual loss, social vulnerability, and community resilience for each hazard type.
How does Jo Daviess County risk compare to the Illinois average?
Jo Daviess County's composite risk percentile is 51th, compared to the Illinois state average of 55th percentile. The state's overall risk rating is Relatively Low. This means Jo Daviess County faces lower natural disaster risk than the typical county in Illinois.
Is Jo Daviess County at risk for tornado?
Yes, Jo Daviess County's tornado risk is at the 69th percentile nationally. This is above the national median. For flooding specifically, Jo Daviess County is at the 59th percentile.
How is natural disaster risk measured?
FEMA's National Risk Index (NRI) calculates risk scores for 18 natural hazard types across all U.S. counties and census tracts. The composite score combines Expected Annual Loss (estimated dollar losses from each hazard), Social Vulnerability (demographic factors affecting disaster impact), and Community Resilience (ability to recover). Percentile scores rank each county against all 3,144 U.S. counties, and risk ratings range from Very Low to Very High.
Is Jo Daviess County a safe place to live?
Jo Daviess County's composite risk score of 51th percentile is below the Illinois state average of 55th percentile, indicating relatively lower exposure to natural hazards. However, no county is completely risk-free. The primary hazard type is tornado at the 69th percentile. Residents should still maintain emergency preparedness plans and appropriate insurance coverage.

Counties with Similar Risk

Johnson County

Illinois

-0.2

Relatively Low

51th percentile

Shelby County

Illinois

+0.4

Relatively Low

52th percentile

Lawrence County

Illinois

-2.1

Relatively Low

49th percentile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

Data Source

Risk data sourced from the FEMA National Risk Index (NRI). Risk scores are relative rankings (0–100) across all US counties — not absolute risk measures. Higher scores indicate higher relative risk compared to other counties.

Disclaimer: This data is informational only. It is not financial, insurance, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making insurance or real estate decisions.

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